Christine Ricardo '14 Named May's Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month

Editor's note: The Pro Bono Board, a student group committed to expanding pro bono knowledge and opportunities to students, names a Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month. The May honoree is Christine Ricardo,’ 14. Rebecca Smith, a member of the board, wrote this story on her work. For more information on pro bono work, visit the Pro Bono Service Initiative website or contact Shehnaz Mansuri in the Office of Career Services.

Christine Ricardo was honored last week as the 3L PILS award recipient. Christine currently works as a child advocate with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, supporting children who entered the country without a parent or guardian. She helps the children understand the detention and immigration process and find legal services once they leave. In addition to direct service work, the center is involved in advocacy and policy initiatives, such as submitting amicus briefs and meeting with Washington D.C. legislative staff.

Christine decided to participate in the clinic due to her passion for immigration rights. Immigration is a personal interest for Christine, as she comes from a family of immigrants and grew up in a blue-collar immigrant community. She enjoys her work because it has exposed her to the enormity of the crisis of unaccompanied immigrant children, as there’s been an increase in children coming into the country in large part due to a surge in gang violence in Central America.

Before law school, Christine worked in international development in Brazil doing HIV prevention research and community education. Upon graduation, Christine will be working at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, a legal nonprofit in New York City, as a recipient of one of the Law School’s postgraduate fellowships. Her focus is on Medicaid expansion and making sure eligible people have access to care. She believes it’s an exciting time for health care with the Affordable Care Act rollout, and believes there’s a lot of important work to be done.

After her fellowship, Christine plans on either participating in another fellowship, clerking, or combining her passions of health care and immigration. Besides participating in public interest work, you can find Christine doing yoga or zumba, staying active wherever she goes.

The Pro Bono Board is excited to present Christine Ricardo as May’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month!